Ternary Refrigerant Composition to Reduce GWP and Operating Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat transfer fluids, such as HFC-134a, have high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential, posing environmental concerns, while alternatives like carbon dioxide require high pressures and have operational drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
Compositions containing 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, HFC-134a, and HFC-32, optimized for use in compression refrigeration systems with counter-current exchangers, offering zero ODP and lower GWP, allowing for smaller compressor sizes and equivalent heating or cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If HFC-134a is used as a refrigerant, then the ozone layer is protected (zero ODP), but the global warming potential is high (GWP = 1300)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) with specific physical and chemical properties (lower GWP, different boiling point, different pressure characteristics) to replace or supplement HFC-134a, thereby achieving lower global warming potential while maintaining zero ozone depletion potential
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite refrigerant compositions by combining 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with HFC-134a and HFC-32 in specific ratios (10-90%, 5-80%, 5-10% by weight respectively), where the composite mixture achieves optimized environmental performance and thermodynamic properties that individual components cannot provide alone
2Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, then the global warming potential is low, but the operating pressure is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by using 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene which has different vapor pressure characteristics compared to carbon dioxide, allowing the system to operate at lower pressures while maintaining low GWP and acceptable thermodynamic efficiency
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the refrigerant composition is changed to reduce GWP, then the environmental impact is reduced, but the volume capacity and compressor size may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density and volumetric capacity parameters by selecting 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene which has favorable density characteristics, and by optimizing the composition ratios to ensure that the new refrigerant mixture provides adequate volume capacity to match or exceed HFC-134a performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality optimization by tuning the specific composition ratios of components (10-90% HFO-1234yf, 5-80% HFC-134a, 5-10% HFC-32) to achieve the desired balance between environmental performance and volumetric capacity for specific application requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compositions provide stable, efficient heat transfer with lower pressure levels and volume capacity, enabling smaller compressor sizes and maintaining performance comparable to HFC-134a, while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The compositions provide stable, efficient heat transfer with lower pressure levels and volume capacity
Implementation Method 2
The compositions are used as heat transfer fluids in compression refrigeration systems with exchangers operating in counter-current mode
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to compositions containing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and to the uses thereof as heat transfer fluids, expansion agents, solvents and aerosols. The invention specifically relates to compositions essentially containing between 10 and 90 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, between 5 and 80 wt. % of HFC-134a, and between 5 and 10 wt. % of HFC-32.